The shooter, behind the killing of two Swedish nationals and the injuring of a third individual in a lone-wolf attack in Brussels, self-identified as a member of the terror group ISIS, claiming responsibility for the assault in a video shared online, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday.
According to Al Jazeera, the suspect fled the scene of the shooting incident on Monday night, leading to a search by the Belgian police. Eric Van Duyse, a spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office, stated that the investigation was centered on “a possible terrorist motivation for the shooting” following “a claim of responsibility was posted on social media.”
“We are working to determine the veracity of the video,” Van Duyse commented. “This person claims to be inspired by Islamic State. The Swedish nationality of the victims was put forward as the probable motive.”
Al Jazeera reported that the suspected assailant, identifying himself as Abdesalem Al Guilani, proclaimed on social media that he was “a fighter for [God]” and a “member of ISIL” (ISIS).
Two individuals were reported dead in the shooting incident in central Brussels on Monday evening, as cited by Belgian public broadcaster VRT, according to CNN. The deceased were believed to be of Swedish nationality. The suspect was still at large, and the motive behind the killings remained unclear.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the Brussels attack, urging the people of Brussels to remain vigilant.
“My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels,” the Belgian PM posted on X. “I am closely following the situation, together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from @CrisiscenterBE. We are monitoring the situation and ask the people of Brussels to be vigilant.”
Additionally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed her sympathies over the loss of lives in Brussels to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to @SwedishPM Kristersson and the Swedish people who have lost two of their compatriots tonight,” the EU President posted from her X handle. “Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time,” she added in her post.
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